Over the past month, organizations in the Valley and greater Marin have been working together to provide mutual aid and support to our community during these difficult and uncertain times. Here are resources available to residents of the San Geronimo Valley and Nicasio.

Here at the San Geronimo Valley Affordable Housing Association, the new term that we have all learned and now practice — Sheltering in Place — has a special significance. It’s a term that speaks directly to our mission. It’s what we do: provide shelter and place to people in our community and help to assure that homes are accessible and affordable for people of all incomes and backgrounds. Sheltering in place is definitely an emotional and social challenge for many of us — but it is also a wonderful gift: to have a place to call home.

Since December, SGVAHA has been exploring the possibility of acquiring a 10-unit apartment building in Fairfax. The purchase by our nonprofit organization would assure that the property would remain affordable for the existing and future tenants. Being able to shelter in place has special meaning for the people who live there, people who could very well be worrying about eviction or rent increases. However, the acquisition of the property by SGVAHA may not go through because there may not be sufficient funds for future needed repairs of the property. This funding challenge has become more clear during this COVID-19 health and economic crisis.

For the hundreds and thousands of renters in our towns and villages who want to stay in their communities, houses and apartments, the COVID-19 crisis presents a new and immediate serious financial challenge. People are out of work and local business owners are facing tremendous losses. But local organizations and institutions are fighting back. The County Board of Supervisors took quick action, passing a county-wide moratorium on evictions. Rental assistance is available for people experiencing a loss of income through a collaboration between the San Geronimo Valley Community Center, the SGV Emergency Fund, and SGVAHA, with funding from the County of Marin and the Marin Community Foundation. There are also additional funds in the Valley and elsewhere in West Marin from Measure W revenues which voters approved last year.

We send our wishes to all for the upcoming Spring holidays. Stay home and stay healthy. Take a walk around your neighborhood. Get counted in Census 2020.

We’ll get through this. We’re all in this together.

Suzanne

Get Counted! Take the Census.

Now more than ever we see the need for everyone to be counted in the Census. Census data helps determine funding for public services in our community. It determines the allocation of federal funds for our healthcare systems, our social safety net, and other services essential to our community. In a public health emergency, data from the Census helps first responders and disaster recovery personnel to identify where and how much help is needed.

Our West Marin community is historically undercounted in the Census.This affects everything from funding for our local schools to spending on Medicaid to our representation in the U.S. House of Representatives. In times of uncertainty, it is crucial that our community is prepared to respond to whatever challenges we may face.

The Census takes 10 minutes. It happens once every 10 years. See below for details on how to take the census and Let’s Get Counted!

San Geronimo Valley and Nicasio COVID-19 Emergency Fund

The San Geronimo Valley and Nicasio COVID-19 Emergency Fund provides one-time, $500 grants to individuals and families who are experiencing financial hardship directly related to the COVID-19 pandemic. These funds can be used to assist with rent payments, bills, grocery expenses, medical expenses, or other essential needs. These funds will only be awarded to San Geronimo Valley and Nicasio residents, however, the Bolinas Community Land Trustand West Marin Community Services have similar funds available for other areas of West Marin.

As of May 15th, the second round of applications is now closed. Decisions will be made by May 22, 2020, and distributions will be made immediately. Stay tuned for the third round of applications coming in June.

We are partnering with the San Geronimo Valley Community Center and San Geronimo Valley Emergency Fund to distribute the COVID-19 Emergency Fund. We thank the Marin Community Foundation and the County of Marin for their generous and continued support of our mission and community.

Application instructions

Please click the application link and download the document. The downloaded document can be filled out on the computer and emailed to covid19fund@sgvcc.org. The application can also be printed, filled out, scanned, and returned by email. We will also be accepting applications by mail at PO BOX 194, San Geronimo, CA 94963. Please remember to include your proof of residency with your application. Additionally, over the phone assistance is available if you do have access to a computer, printer, or email address. Please call (415) 488-8888 ext. 250.

If you are not in need of financial assistance and would like to make a donation to the fund to support your neighbors, please visit our Donate page or click here.

If you are experiencing financial hardship because of reasons outside the COVID-19 pandemic or you need additional financial support, the San Geronimo Valley Emergency Fund is still accepting applications as normal. Please see their San Geronimo Valley Emergency Fund Application.

Food Bank

SF Marin Food Bank x SGVCC

The San Geronimo Valley Community Center continues to partner with the SF Marin Food Bank and the Lagunitas School District to provide a “pop-up” drive-through food distribution site.

Where: Lagunitas School District parking lot (in from the SGV Community Gym)

When: Every Thursday, 12pm-2pm until further notice

Community members will not be asked to demonstrate eligibility requirements or sign in. The number of individuals in each household will determine the amount of food distributed to each person.

The drive-through system is working well to protect our most vulnerable community members. Additionally, Community Center staff members have been safely delivered bags of food to seniors and immune compromised neighbors in San Geronimo Valley and Nicasio that were sheltering in place.

Countywide Eviction Ban

On March 24, the Marin County Board of Supervisors enacted a temporary ban on evictions. The resolution protects Marin residents and business owners experiencing loss of income tied to the COVID-19 pandemic. If a residential tenant or commercial small business lease holder has failed to make a rent payment due on or after March 24, the landlord cannot evict if the tenant provides notice within 30 days after the rent was due that they are unable to pay because of financial impacts related to COVID-19. A landlord may seek payment of unpaid rent after the expiration of the local emergency, but may not charge late fees. The ban will be in effect until May 31. It applies to all of Marin, including cities, towns, and unincorporated areas.

Financial Support During Shelter in Place

Unemployment Insurance

Those unable to work during this time are able to apply for unemployment insurance.

Those infected by COVID-19 may apply for disability insurance. The California Governor’s Executive Order waives the one-week unpaid waiting period, so you can collect DI benefits for the first week you are out of work. If you are eligible, the EDD processes and issues payments within a few weeks of receiving a claim.